criminal charges

Office of Labor-Management Enforcement

The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) conducts both civil and criminal investigations of alleged violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and related laws.

These investigations by OLMS District Offices involve issues such as embezzlements of union funds, union officer elections, the filing of required reports by unions and others with OLMS, and the imposition of trusteeships over subordinate unions by a parent body. These investigations may result in legal enforcement actions.

Date	Description
November 2nd, 2021	On November 2, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $243,003 and one count of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
May 18th, 2021	On May 18, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Connie Deal, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was charged in a two-count information with making a false statement in a report required to be filed with the Secretary of Labor and making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b) and 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
March 3rd, 2021	On March 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Gregory Fiocca, a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a)), 18 counts of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a), (b)(2)), and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 3rd, 2021	On March 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a)), 18 counts of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a), (b)(2)), and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
November 25th, 2020	On November 25, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371) and three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(2)). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
November 25th, 2020	On November 25, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald Gus Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of a false statement to a bank (18 U.S.C. 1014), one count of bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344), 10 counts of false statements ERISA (18 U.S.C. 1027), and 18 counts of theft from employee benefit plans (18 U.S.C. 664). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
March 6th, 2020	On March 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was charged and pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $9,317, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 27th, 2020	On January 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and ordered to serve two years of probation upon his release.  Moylan was also ordered to pay $130,783 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment fee.  On October 16, 2019, Moylan pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
August 23rd, 2019	On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 23rd, 2019	On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, current business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 23rd, 2019	On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lee Ann Miyamura, former executive secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 23rd, 2019	On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Russell Yamanoha, former communications director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 22nd, 2019	On August 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted for conspiracy (1 count), wire fraud (42 counts), money laundering (20 counts), and embezzlement of union funds (6 counts), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1343, and 1957, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo engaged in a conspiracy to divert union funds and property by hiring family members at inflated salaries (some of whom did little or no actual work for the union) and authorized the use of union funds for personal travel, a vehicle, and dining expenditures. After largely depleting the unionÄôs coffers, Ahakuelo, with the help of his wife, Marilyn; his sister-in-law, Jennifer Estencion; and other union employees, rigged a vote to increase membership dues. The false election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over about 18 months. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 22nd, 2019	On August 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted for conspiracy (1 count), wire fraud (42 counts), and embezzlement of union funds (3 counts), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 & 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 22nd, 2019	On August 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Jennifer Estencion, former executive assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted for conspiracy (1 count) and wire fraud (42 counts), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1343, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 34 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), 23 counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful payments from an employer (18 U.S.C. 371), eight counts of accepting unlawful payments from an employer (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(2),(b)(1) & (d)(2)), one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 11 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), and one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), and five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), three counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), one count of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), and one count of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and six counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), five counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and five counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Anthony Massa, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from employee pension fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (18 U.S.C. 1001). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346), three counts of accepting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)), and one count of soliciting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 28th, 2019	On January 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 22nd, 2019	On January 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an information with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
May 9th, 2017	On May 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling approximately $307,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
December 6th, 2016	On December 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota Northern Division, Salvatore Zagra, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1959 (located in Watertown, S.D.), was charged in a two-count indictment with one count of selling, conveying and disposing of property from the Department of Energy without authority, namely tools which had a value exceeding $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641. In count two, he was charged for knowingly executing and attempting to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud a financial institution, and to obtain money, funds, credits, assets, securities, and other property owned by and under the custody and control of, the aforementioned financial institution, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344. Specifically, Zagra knowingly and fraudulently made and cashed checks on an account belonging to Local 1959 that were payable to himself, forged the signature of the unionÄôs president on these checks, and made and cashed pre-signed checks payable to himself for unauthorized expenses. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of EnergyÄôs Office of Inspector General, General Services AdministrationÄôs Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
October 13th, 2016	On October 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation. Humphrey was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,811 and a $100 special assessment. On January 26, 2016, Humphrey pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 23rd, 2016	On August 23, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The investigation disclosed that from July 2008 through February 2012, Scott embezzled $66,954 from the union, by incurring $48,534 in unauthorized personal expenses using the unionÄôs two credit cards, and collecting an additional $18,420 in unauthorized union checks written to himself. Payments to the unionÄôs credit card company for the personal expenses were made using the postal service. The investigation also revealed that Scott filed false LM-2 reports for fiscal years ending June 30, 2009 through June 30, 2011 in an attempt to cover up the embezzlement. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
August 16th, 2016	On August 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,750, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 26th, 2016	On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Humphrey then pled guilty to the charge. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 19th, 2015	On October 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
February 18th, 2015	On February 18, 2015, in the Buchanan County, Missouri Judicial Court, Dennis Fuston, former business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 545 (located in St. Joseph, Mo.), was charged with theft of union funds (more than $500 and less than $25,000), in violation of RS:MO 570.030, a Class C Felony. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
December 18th, 2013	On December 18, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ann Marie Shaffer, former dues clerk for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $101,059, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
December 11th, 2013	On December 11, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $158,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
November 15th, 2013	On November 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), was charged in an information for embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $158,150, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
July 8th, 2013	On July 8, 2013, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic County, Robert Garris, former Chief Shop Steward for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 827 (located in East Windsor, N.J.), was charged in an accusation with theft by deception in the third degree in the amount of $25,960 for false lost time claims received. The accusation follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
June 5th, 2012	On June 5, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 (located in Beaver, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling in excess of $10,000 of the monies, funds, property and assets of a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
May 30th, 2012	On May 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,321.25. Stegner was charged on May 16, 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
May 16th, 2012	On May 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, an information was filed charging Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), with one count of embezzling union funds totaling more than $41,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information alleges that Stegner embezzled $41,861 in union money by failing to deposit funds and stealing cash she received from union members for dues and other items. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
May 1st, 2012	On May 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $47,096. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
March 23rd, 2011	On March 23, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Michael Williams, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), was indicted on 10 counts of embezzlement totaling $4,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and four counts of making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
December 28th, 2010	On December 28, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, an information was filed against Christy Nicole Freeman, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), charging her with making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
December 28th, 2010	On December 28, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, an information was filed against Katherine Nannette Jones, a former employee of IBEW Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), charging her with making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
January 13th, 2010	On January 13, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, James L. Miles, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1023 (located in Barstow, Calif.), was charged in a 12-count indictment with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $93,273, nine counts of mail fraud, and two counts of making false statements on the union’s annual financial reports. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
July 15th, 2009	On July 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Hernandez, former Secretary Treasurer and former Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60 (located in San Antonio, Texas), was charged in a one count indictment with embezzling funds from an employee benefit plan. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
April 2nd, 2009	On April 2, 2009, in the Hennepin County District Court of Minnesota, William Thomas Brown, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 886 (located in New Hope, Minn.), was convicted of one felony count of theft over $1,000 associated with the theft of union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. Brown was then sentenced to three years probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring and ordered to make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. Brown was alleged to have taken union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
December 4th, 2008	On December 4, 2008, in the Hennepin County District Court of Minnesota, William Thomas Brown, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 886 (located in New Hope, Minn.), was charged with one felony count of theft over $1,000. Brown is alleged to have taken union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
July 7th, 2008	On July 7, 2008, in the Superior Court of Wayne County, Indiana, Curtis Pittinger, former President of IBEW Local 2043 (located in Richmond, Ind.), was sentenced to a suspended sentence of a year and a half in prison, six months in-home detention, probation for four and a half years, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,132.33, pay $7,000 for the cost of an audit and $750 in court costs and fees. On October 3, 2007, Pittinger was charged with three counts of theft of union funds in the amount of $10,300. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Indianapolis Resident Investigator Office.
October 5th, 2007	On October 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 1768, was sentenced to two years probation for embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,619. Ehlis had previously made restitution of the full amount. On May 17, 2007, Ehlis was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
October 3rd, 2007	On October 3, 2007, in the Circuit Court of Wayne County, Indiana, Curtis Pittinger, former President of IBEW Local 2043, was charged with three counts of theft of approximately $10,300 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 11th, 2007	On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manger/Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local 163 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. On September 4, 2007, Capece was charged with knowingly and willfully embezzling union funds in the same amount. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
May 17th, 2007	On May 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 1769, was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the amount of $5,619.90. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
March 15th, 2007	On March 15, 2007, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, Suzanne Green, former bookkeeper of IBEW Local 613, entered an Alford plea as part of a plea agreement. Under the plea agreement, Green agreed to make complete restitution of $11,203.00 and serve five years probation, of which three years are to be supervised. On July 11, 2006, Green was charged with one count of theft-by-taking of union funds in the amount of $11,203.00. The plea agreement follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
February 16th, 2007	On February 16, 2007, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Michael Griffie, an electrical contractor, was sentenced to one year of community control. On March 30, 2006, Griffie was charged with aggravated theft of property or services worth $100,000 or more from IBEW Local 212, and with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding the local. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 22nd, 2007	On January 22, 2007, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Michael Griffie entered a plea of no contest to unauthorized use of property. On March 30, 2006, Griffie was charged with aggravated theft of property or services worth $100,000 or more from IBEW Local 212, and with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding the local. The no contest plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 10th, 2007	On January 10, 2007, in the Monroe County (Indiana) Circuit Court, Glenn Collins, current President of IBEW Local 2249, was charged with knowingly exerting unauthorized control over Local 2249's property with intent to deprive the local of any part of its value or use. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 8th, 2007	On January 8, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, was sentenced to six-month confinement followed by 150 days of home detention, and three-years supervised release. Stark was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,376.89 plus an additional $26,783.64 in investigative costs incurred by the local. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
November 9th, 2006	On November 9, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $50,377. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
September 8th, 2006	On September 8, 2006, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Rachetta Johnson, co-owner of Electrical Innovations, pled guilty to theft by deception for her role in defrauding the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 212, through a market recovery fund. On March 30, 2006, Johnson was charged with theft of property or services worth $5,000, tampering with market recovery forms, and forging market recovery fund forms. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 7th, 2006	On September 7, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former Office Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 31, was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $50,376.89. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
March 30th, 2006	On March 30, 2006, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Michael Griffie was charged with aggravated theft of property or services worth $100,000 or more from IBEW Local 212. Griffie was also charged with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding IBEW Local 212. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 30th, 2006	On March 30, 2006, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Charlene Monroe and Rachetta Johnson were charged with theft of property or services worth $5,000 or more from IBEW Local 212. Monroe and Johnson were also charged with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding IBEW Local 212. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
July 1st, 2004	On July 1, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Robert Mayhew, former business manager of IBEW Local 415, was sentenced to one year of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Mayhew pled guilty to a one count information charging him with causing a plan administrator to fail to include certain transactions in the plan's annual report. The charges resulted from the investigation into the collapse of Capital Consultants, LLC. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office, the FBI, the IRS, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
March 10th, 2004	On March 10, 2004, in the District Court for Ramsey County (Minnesota), a criminal complaint was signed charging Brian Wimberly, former treasurer of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 506, with one count of theft of $722 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
September 10th, 2003	On September 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16 in Evansville, Indiana, filed a petition to enter a plea of guilty and plea agreement. Under the agreement, Collins agreed to plead guilty to two counts of embezzling $26,804 in union funds; Collins must also make full restitution to the union. The remaining two counts of the indictment charging Collins with falsification of union records will be dismissed. Collins was indicted on May 22, 2002, following a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office and the FBI.
July 11th, 2003	On July 11, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Steve Morris, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 109, was sentenced to 6 months of home detention and 4 years probation. He previously made restitution of $84,485. In addition, Morris was ordered to undergo rehabilitation and to pay a $3,000 fine. He was previously charged with embezzling $68,017.35 in union funds on January 29, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Morris pled guilty to the charge on February 10, 2003.
February 20th, 2003	On February 20, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 533 in Berwyn, Illinois, pled guilty to embezzling $14,450 in union funds between May 1997 and June 1999 (a change of plea). King was charged on January 24, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
February 5th, 2003	On February 5, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the grand jury returned a two count indictment against Debra Dougherty, former office secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 648. The indictment charges Dougherty with one count of embezzlement of $41,829.95 in union funds and one count of bank fraud in the amount of $7,030.40. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 29th, 2003	On January 29, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Stephen E. Morris, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 109 in Rock Island, Illinois, was charged with embezzling $68,017.35 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
January 24th, 2003	On January 24, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 533, was charged with embezzling $14,450 in union funds. An agreement has been reached in which King indicates he will plead guilty at a hearing scheduled on February 13. The charge was brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
December 18th, 2002	On December 18, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, a plea agreement was filed in which Robert "Blackie" Emery, Sr., former secretary-treasurer for Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 429, pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $5,200 from Local 429 and one count of failure to file a required officer report, Form LM-30. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
November 8th, 2002	On November 8, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Michael E. Koehler, former business manager of Local 965 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), pled guilty to embezzling $135,197.75 in union funds. Koehler submitted false claims for the reimbursement of monies he claimed he had given to union members' families at funerals, for mileage and meal expenses that were never incurred, and for overtime he never worked. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
October 24th, 2002	On October 24, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, an information was filed charging Michael E. Koehler, former business manager of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Local 965, with embezzling union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
October 10th, 2002	On October 10, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Barbara Monfre, administrator of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, Elevator Division Retirement Plan, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $314,547.49. She had been arraigned on March 22, 2002, on charges of embezzling approximately $289,000 in benefit plan funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
July 8th, 2002	On July 8, 2002, in Cherokee County (Iowa) court, Diana Commons, former secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1523, was named in a criminal complaint with felony theft in the amount of $3,192. The charges, which allege that she fraudulently received state unemployment benefits by concealing salary payments from Local 1523, were brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
May 22nd, 2002	On May 22, 2002 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16, was indicted on one count of embezzling $25,370 from the Local's Target Fund, one count of embezzling $1,434.50 in local dues money, and two counts of falsifying union records. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 22nd, 2002	On March 22, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Barbra Monfre, administrator of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, Elevator Division Retirement Plan, was arraigned on charges of embezzling approximately $289,000 in benefit plan funds. The charges were brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
May 11th, 2001	On May 11, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert Emery, Sr. former financial secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 429, was indicted on three counts of embezzling a total of $16,851 in union funds and two counts of failure to file Form LM-30, Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report, relating to transactions the union conducted with a T-shirt business owned by his wife. His wife was charged in one count of the indictment with aiding and abetting him in embezzling $5,340 for her personal benefit. Terri Myatt, Local 429 office manager, was also charged in one count of the indictment with aiding and abetting Mr. Emery in embezzling $5,818 for her personal benefit. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
May 4th, 2001	On May 4, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Britt Commons, former business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1523, entered a plea of guilty to falsifying union records to conceal an embezzlement of $8,025 in union funds. The charges had been brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.